Kansas Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

My Catholic faith tells me every life is sacred. it also teaches me that we don't stop supporting life once they are born. Where other so-called 'pro-lifers' are merely pro-birth, I am pro life. I don't just want a child born, I want a child fed, a child taught, a child nurtured and valued. I also oppose ever using this issue to attack opposition. That is hypocritical and insincere. I need to also be clear, there are circumstances such as life of the mother and viability of the fetus that must be considered. To be 100% Pro-life is disingenuous.

In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

Yes

In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?

Other or expanded principles

In the three decades following WWII, we cultivated the world's greatest economy by using a progressive tax structure, taxing corporations and according to ability. Most politicians lie about fiscal responsibility and we end up in tragic debt. Recent legislation could have been written to ensure economic success for all but instead created a massive payday for the same segment that historically gave enough to create a powerful America. We must shift our spending from Defense to Infrastructure and we must ensure that while poor folks pay with their lives on the battle field, corporations and the wealthiest pay in cash.

Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?

Other or expanded principles

I want to pass the 28th Amendment which would overturn Citizens United, defining money as money and not speech. I want to restore strict campaign finance regulations, monitoring every dollar spent on politicians and political access. Ultimately, I would like to see publicly financed elections which would be less costly to taxpayers in the long-run. It is now undeniable that we have influence from foreign nations pouring into our process, undermining it entirely. Voters believe that money is access and that Democracy is dying. This must stop. Our Government must be transparent and it must earn back the public trust.

Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Yes

Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?

Other or expanded principles

I can decrease military spending by increasing it, and adding all infrastructure spending into Defense as Eisenhower did. This stimulated the greatest economic boon in our history. I would lower taxes on small businesses and working class individuals, the real job creators. My tax plan has the ability to create hundreds of tax incentives to expand jobs, stimulate entrepreneurialism, and increase wages. This can only be done though, by dumping all the nonsense loopholes and incentives that have been added by the politically well-connected. I would also create a 5-year life span. all incentives sunset after 5 years without renewal.

Yes but no. I despised NCLB and oppose parts of Common Core. Standards are good but they must not be accompanied by high stakes assessments and mandates. Ultimately, all curriculum decisions should be maintained at the local level, with some state input. For Educators, I believe in MAP: Mastery - they must be well trained, Autonomy - they must have some control over their classes and curriculum, and Purpose - they must have a passion for what they are doing. Federal Standards kill all three of these.

Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?

Yes

Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

Other or expanded principles

The Earth is where we make our stand. Since fossil fuels are finite, not preparing for future energy sources is criminal. As for anthropomorphic global climate change, the science is in. We must reduce our footprint. I am, however, more of an incentivizer than a regulator. There is a distinct difference. If, however, there are abusers, they must be dealt with.

I have no intention of ever supporting the infringement of a law-abiding American citizens? right to bear arms. Being a highly trained infantry gunner, I support better training programs for new gun owners. Like most Americans, I support universal background checks and closing loopholes in weapons transactions. I would lift the Dickey Amendment which prevents CDC research into what has become a national epidemic. I would also lift the PLCAA which removes all liability from gun manufacturers, something no other industry enjoys. Politicians who support changing nothing at all are not acting in the interests of our society.

5 years now, I've been consistent: I would have repealed Obamacare and preserve every word of the ACA. Obamacare's greatest problem was the perception it's government healthcare. It's flaws were in not negotiation pharma pricing, giving too much power to Insurers, not demanding results-based outcomes and the fact it was always partisan. Republicans now have all but killed it and we must replace it with real affordable healthcare. I'd push for a public option, something like TriCare given to military retirees. Competition in an ever consolidating industry will be created by this program and costs will most certainly come down.

Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?

Other or expanded principles

My wife was an immigrant, an asylum seeker actually. We were once a better country. Anger and partisanship has hardened our hearts and made us cruel. All humans deserve dignity and respect. While I'm not for law-breaking, if someone is following the rules, working hard and paying his or her fair share, a pathway must be given. While it's wrong to immigrate illegally, it's criminal that Congress has not addressed the legal process in over 30 years. People are dying waiting for Congress to get off its ass and do something. I'll ensure that Congress does what's right.

Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?

Other or expanded principles

I have always believed strongly that marijuana must be reclassified from Schedule 1 (with heroin) to Schedule 5 (with Robitusson). It is no more harmful than alcohol. Schedule 1 allegedly has zero medicinal benefits, yet for two decades doctors and obstetricians have prescribed opiates like they were candy. Evidence shows that marijuana might help us treat the opioid addiction pharmaceutical companies started. While I believe total legalization is a state?s rights issue, I would fully reschedule and decriminalize all marijuana and CBDs at the Federal level. As for recreational purposes, it should be a states' rights issue. I'd vote yes.

Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?

No

Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?

Other or expanded principles

Our misadventures in the Middle-East must end. We keep making the same errors and I'm done with it. As for nations seeking nuclear weapons, I am always for diplomacy first. Iran and North Korea must be dealt with but war is not the answer. Diplomacy is the ultimate tool of a peaceful nation.It's worth looking at why these two nations are hostile towards our government, I mean, most AMERICANS are hostile towards our Government. Perhaps we should not have overthrown the president of one and started a war (which still is not resolved) with the other. Our Actions Matter!

Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

The single greatest threat we face as a nation is Division! We�ve been divided by hyper-partisan politicians who�ve lost the concept of public service and patriotism. I haven�t. I believe in service to country regardless of party. I have a unique world-view having grown up a Fifth-Generation Kansas farmer, then serving in combat overseas, then attending U.C. Berkeley. I�ve lived in the world�s largest cities and its smallest towns. I�ve worked in the fields and on Wall Street. I can clearly identify with true-Conservatism just as I identify with honest-Progressivism. I'll Unite America, Restore Democracy and Invest in our Future.

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